- Leersumse Veld — A classic mix of open heath, drifting sand and scattered pines; excellent for hiking and feeling like you’ve briefly escaped the Netherlands. At dawn you’ll often spot skylarks and meadow birds, and the sandy patches feel surprisingly wild compared with the surrounding farmland. (my personal favorite)
- Soesterduinen — A small desert-in-the-middle-of-the-country: rolling sand dunes fringed by pine forest. It’s an addictive short walk or run, great for sunset light and for anyone who enjoys quick, varied terrain without trekking for hours.
- Grebbeberg & the Rhine valley viewpoints — The steep slope down to the Rhine is rare in this flat country; you get sweeping river views, cliffside walks and a landscape with lots of raptors in autumn. There’s also poignant wartime history
- Leersumse Veld — A classic mix of open heath, drifting sand and scattered pines; excellent for hiking and feeling like you’ve briefly escaped the Netherlands. At dawn you’ll often spot skylarks and meadow birds, and the sandy patches feel surprisingly wild compared with the surrounding farmland. (my personal favorite)
- Soesterduinen — A small desert-in-the-middle-of-the-country: rolling sand dunes fringed by pine forest. It’s an addictive short walk or run, great for sunset light and for anyone who enjoys quick, varied terrain without trekking for hours.
- Grebbeberg & the Rhine valley viewpoints — The steep slope down to the Rhine is rare in this flat country; you get sweeping river views, cliffside walks and a landscape with lots of raptors in autumn. There’s also poignant wartime history here if you like a bit of context with your scenery.
- Pyramide van Austerlitz — An 1800s Napoleonic-era earthwork sitting on a wooded hilltop. It’s an oddball landmark with a clear viewpoint and picnic spots—good for families and for a short, rewarding climb.
- Kasteel Amerongen & park — The castle’s formal gardens and riverside setting make for a pleasant combo of culture and nature; you can stroll the grounds, then slip into adjacent beech and oak forest trails for a longer hike.
- Deelerwoud — One of the park’s older, quieter pine-and-deciduous remnants with a feeling of real wilderness. Keep an eye out for deer and wild boar tracks, and enjoy the deep-forest atmosphere away from the busier dunes and viewpoints.
- Henschotermeer — A small recreational lake with sandy beaches and shallow water—perfect for cooling off after a hike, or for a lazy afternoon if you want swimming or a simple picnic without leaving the park.
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Best Backpacking
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.